The court heard the gang first came to the attention of police in November last year after a break-in at a home near Alnwick, Northumberland.

While the occupiers were out, all of the rooms were searched, including underwear drawers, and valuables worth £15,000 stolen, including a television, jewellery, clothing, food, champagne, wine and spirits.

Tim Gittins, prosecuting, said: “The woman householder was greeted by words of abuse written on a bedroom wall in nail varnish.

"It read ‘I told you slut’.”

“The graffiti was very distressing for her but she could not understand why anyone would write it.

Rex

Snared: The characters from Toy Story

“She felt extremely vulnerable as a result and had to be questioned about whether she had any enemies or was having an affair.”

The Audi had a tracking device which showed it was in Richmond, North Yorkshire, and it was stopped by police after a chase the next day.

Huntingdon was driving while Donoghue was in the front passenger seat.

A third man, Ashley Fisher, was also arrested but later jumped bail and remains on the run.

It was only after diligent work by Det Con Alison Goldsmith that a picture began to emerge of a wider conspiracy, and links were made to a string of burglaries.

On October 28 they broke into a home in Slaley, near Hexham, and Mr Gittins said: “A Toy Story pop-up book
was recovered from Donoghue’s home which was identified identical to the one taken during the burglary.

"That was his downfall.”

Donoghue, 47, of Northallerton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and aggravated vehicle taking in relation to 17 of the break-ins and was jailed for six years.

Huntingdon, 30, of Ludworth, Co Durham, admitted conspiracy to burgle and aggravated vehicle taking in relation to four of the attacks and was jailed for 22 months.

Bird, 34, a mother-of-four, also of Northallerton, admitted 11 counts
of handling stolen goods and was given two years suspended for two years.